As 2011 winds down I am taking stock of my life and thinking back through the year. I am asking questions like, what am I most proud of myself for doing in 2011? What would I like to do more of in 2012 that I did in 2011? What would I like to do less of in 2012 that I did in 2011? (Those last two questions came to me courtesy of Pamela Slim and she is simply awesome!) I am being really thoughtful and I am taking my time and my answers feel good to me. They feel comforting. I am glad I am taking the time to have this conversation with myself. And based on this conversation, I am making the biggest promise I have ever made to anyone.
And that promise is to me. What’s the promise?

I am promising myself that I be BE MYSELF. All the time, in all situations, no matter who is around or not around, whether other’s like it or not, and even whether I like it or not…I am promising to be me.

“I have never been aware before how many faces there are. There are quantities of human beings, but there are many more faces, for each person has several.” ~ Rilke

I have come to really understand, finally, that it is just too hard to have different versions of myself that I call up and then have show up based on what’s going on around me. It’s a lot of work and entirely too much to keep up with, and frankly, it feels like crap! So, I am throwing in the towel on the being anything but the real me. I already feel more peaceful.

Here’s another promise I am making…I promise to be honest and keep you posted on how I am doing on keeping this promise to myself. Every few months, and more regularly if it’ll make for good reading material, I will update you on how I am doing at being myself all the time. And yes, I’ll include the gory details of the journey!

Here’s to a great 2012 for all of us. Please let me know if you’d like to join me and make this same promise to yourself…it’s gonna be a great ride!